(12-07-2017, 05:41 PM)Steve N Wrote: I believe you can get very functional hardware to work with any bench thickness within reason. So 1" to 4" range.
I typed this when I was tired. I should point out that with small sized hold downs, vices, and other bench accessories you can use them on either a small bench, or a massive one. With large hardware you will likely need to have a large bench to be able to use the hardware. So if you already own large vises, hold downs, etc your only way to use them will either be by making another bigger bench, or adding to the bench you are already happy with. Obviously this is going to be dictated by how much room you have, but in your position, if I had a workbench I liked, but had used it as a work table for power tools, finishing and project assembly, I would leave it alone. Then I would design and build a heavier bench for hand tool work. Sounds like you will be what we call a "blended woodworker" using both hand, and power tools, and heavier power equipment.
If that is what you are planning, think about what you want to do with hand tools? If your plan is to go old school and use them entirely, and sell off your power tools than you need a King sized, takes all comers hand tool bench, or you won't be happy. If you plan to stay blended, and maybe just dabble with some hand cut DT's, but not a lot of prepping wood by hand tools (hand planes versus planer/jointer, sawing by hand rather than a TS, BS, Jig saw), a smaller, but slightly heavier bench would work fine because you will just be working with parts of the whole project rather than making everything on the bench.
